Folding basket or fruit-box.



' No. 7l6,23|. Patented Dec. l6, I902.

0. HUF'FMANN. FOLDING BASKET DR FRUIT BOX.

(Application filed Sept. 16. 1902.)

(No Model.)

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OTTO HOFFMANN, OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.

FOLDING BASKET OR FRUIT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 716,231, dated December 16, 1902.

Application filed September 15, 1902. Serial No. 123,538. (No model.)

To 0/ whom, it may concern. 1

Be it known that I, Or'ro HOFFMANN', a citizen of the United States, residing at New Albany, in the county of Floyd and State ofIndiana, have invented a new and useful Folding Basket or Fruit-Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding baskets or fruit-boxes.

The object of the invention is to provide a basket or box which shall combine simplicity of construction, efficiency and durability in numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the frame or body of the basket or box and showing the position of the parts when set up for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts collapsed. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section showing the manner of associating the cover with the basket or box frame.

The frame of the basket or box is constructed either of thin strips of wood or metal or a combination of both, metal being indicated in this instance, and comprises longitudinal top and bottom frame-pieces 1 and 2, respectively, vertical end pieces 3 and 4, respectively, corner-cleats 5 5 a bottom-brace 6, and a bail 7. All of these parts are connected by rivets 8, the corner-cleats being adapted to be swung on their pivots to cause them to cover the upper and lower edges of the side pieces, one of which adjustments is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, or to cover the upper and lower outer edges of the end pieces 3. These corner-cleats not only subserve the function of braces for preventing the frame from spreading in use, but also operate to reinforce the covering 9 at the corners, the latter function being of particular importance where the covering is of paper, as will be apparent. From a standpoint of cheapness it will generally be preferred to employ a stiif paper covering; but cloth, canvas, or any other suitable fabric or material may be employed and still be within the scope of the invention.

The bail 7 has its terminals pivoted to the inner sides of the frame-pieces 1, thus to permit it to be folded in between such pieces when the structure is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 2; but the bail may be otherwise associated with the frame-pieces or may instead of being constructed of fiat metal, as shown, be a length of wire connected with the framepieces in the usual manner.

The structure of this invention is exceedingly light, but at once strong and durable, and will be found peculiarly adapted for the shipment of fruits that are easily bruised in transit, for the reason that only a very small percentage of the fruit will be impinged by hard surfacesan advantage over slatted crates of the ordinary construction.

In associating the cover with the frame if the same be of paper the sides and ends of the covering will be folded around the frame members and pasted together, and where a textile fabric is employed as a covering it may be sewed upon the frame, as shown in Fig. 3.

While the device of this invention is an exceedingly simple construction, it will be found of the highest efficiency and durabilityiu use and may be manufactured and sold at a price that will place it within reach of persons having use for such structures.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A basket or fruit-box comprising longitudinal top and bottom frame-pieces, vertical end pieces, a pivoted bail associated with the top frame-pieces, and adjustable corner-cleats associated with the frame-pieces and end pieces, said parts being connected for pivotal movement with relation to each other, and a In testimony that I claim the foregoing as transverse brace connecting the intermediate my own I have hereto affixed my signature in re porticgns of the bottom frame-pieces. the presence of two witnesses.

2. basket or fruit-box comprising a col- 1 5 lapsible frame having adjustable corner- 0T1 O HOFFMANN cleats, in combination with a covering secured Witnesses: to the members of the frame and protected at JOHN H. STOTSENBURG, its corners by the cleats. JOHN M. PARIS. 

